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Final, 4-0 Liverpool: It’s over. Liverpool wins its eighth-straight Premier League game and moves into first place in the standings.

From start to finish, Liverpool was every bit as good as the scoreline suggests. Tottenham also was as bad as the goal difference says it was.

Kaboul’s early own goal was a precursor of what was to come, as the Reds seemed to punish Spurs’ every mistake. Fail to press? Goal. Errant pass? Goal. Press too high? Goal. Fail to clear a free kick? Goal. The ruthless Reds simply dispatched their discouraged opponents with ease. If the Reds’ title chase is causing anxiety, they didn’t show it at Anfield on Sunday.

The result effectively ends Tottenham’s hopes for qualifying for next season’s Champions League, as they trail Arsenal by eight points with six games remaining.

Meanwhile, Liverpool moves to the top of the league with the victory, overtaking Chelsea. The Reds’ perfect month of March sets up a mammoth April in which they will host Manchester City (on April 13) and Chelsea (April 27). But they must first travel to Upton Park for next weekend’s visit to West Ham.

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Flanagan beat Lennon with a dribble before passing to Coutinho near the halfway line. The Brazilian then sprinted forward, took a look at the goal and shot. It appeared to take a deflection off Kaboul but still had enough power to beat the diving Lloris.

54th minute, 2-0 Liverpool: Henderson shoots over the bar from 12 yards out after Liverpool cut open Tottenham’s defense.

Halftime, 2-0 Liverpool: The first half has come to a close with the Reds up by two.

Liverpool cruised through most of the first 45 minutes and reaped the rewards for its confident and focused approach. The two-goal lead reflects the Reds’ total domination of the first half.

Tottenham has been Liverpool’s polar opposite, as the visitors delivered a sullen and disjointed performance so far. Kaboul’s own goal came just two minutes into the contest, and things got progressively worse. Vertonghen, Spurs’ defensive leader, limped off the field, and his replacement, Dawson, made the pass which led to Suarez’s goal with his first touch of the game.

Liverpool is creating danger all over the field and will likely continue to do so. Tottenham will push more players into attacking areas, which will open up space for the Reds to exploit in defense.

Liverpool is 45 minutes away from moving into first place in the Premier League standings.

41st minute, 2-0 Liverpool: Lloris saves Suarez’s header off the post. It bounces on the goal line, but the goal decision system says “no goal.”

Sterling disposed Kaboul out wide, dribbled to the by-line and crossed to Suarez, who was six yards away from goal. Suarez’s header was powerful and on target, but the Tottenham goalkeeper palmed it away.

40th minute, 2-0 Liverpool: Spurs are starting to show signs of life.

Soldado hit a curling effort from the edge of the area, which Mignolet punches clear.

10th minute, 1-0 Liverpool: Suarez and Sturridge nearly combined to make it two for Liverpool, but the Uruguayan’s cross was a few inches too high for Sturridge, who would have headed it in at the far post.

Seventh minute, 1-0 Liverpool: The Reds are off to a fast start thanks to the early goal, and they look lively and confident as they search for the second.

They’re controlling possession, and much of the early proceedings are taking place in Tottenham’s half. When the Spurs have the ball, Liverpool is pressing them all over the field, causing turnovers. It’s early domination for the home team.

Second minute, 1-0 Liverpool: Liverpool takes an early lead thanks to Tottenham.

Johnson received a pass from Sterling, surged past Eriksen into the box and sent a cross to the goal-mouth, which went through Vertonghen’s legs before Kaboul bundled it into the net.

First minute, 0-0: And we’re underway. Liverpool is attacking the Anfield Road end.

Pregame: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers makes just one change to the team that beat Sunderland on Wednesday, as Sterling replaces Allen in the starting 11.

The 19-year-old Sterling could take a place in the attacking midfield behind Suarez and Sturridge, as Rodgers has used him lately, or out wide as part of the front three, as he has done for much of his young career.

Soldado will lead Tottneham’s attack in the absence of injured striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Soldado is enduring a difficult first season in the Premier League. The Spanish striker has scored just six goals in 25 games.

10:30 a.m. ET: Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were direct rivals on Dec. 15. — the date of their last meeting.

Liverpool hammered Tottenham 5-0 at White Hart Lane that day, and the result was a turning point in both teams’ seasons. Liverpool has surged since then, reaching the status of Premier League title contenders. Tottenham replaced former manager Andre Villas-Boas with Tim Sherwood a day after the defeat, but Spurs’ pursuit of a top-four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification has largely stalled.

Liverpool hosts Tottenham on Sunday with plenty at stake. The Reds can extend their winning streak to eight games and move to the top of the Premier League standings with a victory. Three points also can help Tottenham can keep pace with Everton and Arsenal — its new rivals for fourth.

Sunday’s game kicks off at 11 a.m. ET. Stay right here, as we’ll bring you all the action from Anfield.